The 2025 Thomson Smillie Cycle Race – Riding for the future

There are journeys that go beyond the kilometres covered, journeys that light the way for future generations. The Thomson Smillie Foundation’s 2025 Cycle Race, taking riders from Pontdrift Border Gate on 1 September all the way to Fish Hoek, Cape Town on 12 September, is one such journey. More than a test of endurance, it is a ride filled with purpose – raising awareness and support for education, while carrying the powerful message that “We are the Flame.”

This year’s theme is deeply symbolic. Against the backdrop of political and economic uncertainty in South Africa, the cycle tour reminds us that the youth are the flame of the future, the spark that can burn away the old and ignite new growth, prosperity, and hope.

By riding under this banner, participants not only committed to an incredible physical feat but also embodied the belief that young people hold the power to reshape our country. Education is central to that vision, and it is education that lies at the heart of the Thomson Smillie Foundation’s mission.

The Foundation has supported students since their early high school years, and 2025 is a milestone year: the very first cohort of learners, guided and supported from Grade 8, will sit for their Matric exams. Their progress is living proof of what consistent educational support can achieve.

The race itself is an extraordinary adventure. It’s a journey that covers diverse landscapes, from the border of Botswana to the southern tip of Africa. Over twelve days, riders experience the physical challenge of long hours on the saddle, the camaraderie of teamwork, and the inspiration of riding with purpose.

Day 1: Departed from Pontdrift Border Gate, which set the stage for the challenge ahead.

Day 2: Sponsored by  STS, this stage took riders from Bela-Bela to the Cradle of Humankind (a fitting reminder of roots, heritage, and the importance of building a future on strong foundations).

Day 9: Another STS-sponsored stage, from Victoria West to Fraserburg, pushed riders through the rugged beauty of the Karoo, symbolic of resilience and endurance.

Day 12: The final stretch into Fish Hoek, Cape Town, was both a finish line and a new beginning, as the riders arrived at the school on Friday, 12 September, to celebrate with learners and supporters.

Each stage carried its own challenges, but every kilometer reinforced the commitment to empowering South Africa’s youth through education.

The Thomson Smillie Cycle Race is not just about the riders, but also about the community that rallies around them, from sponsors and supporters to families and friends. STS is proud to once again be part of this journey, both through direct sponsorship of stages and through our ongoing support of the Foundation’s mission.

The new kit design unveiled this year reflects a modern, fresh look (a symbol of the forward momentum and energy of the tour). Just as the riders stepped onto the road with renewed determination, so too does the kit represent a new era for the Foundation and its growing impact.

At its core, the cycle race is a platform for something far bigger than endurance. It is about education: the one tool proven to break cycles of poverty and open doors to opportunity. Every kilometer ridden represents countless hours of dedication invested in young learners. It represents classrooms filled with hope, study sessions late into the night, and the courage of students who dare to dream of a brighter future.

STS has long supported initiatives that invest in people, and our partnership with the Thomson Smillie Foundation reflects our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with real, lasting impact. By backing education, we are investing in tomorrow’s leaders – those who will carry the flame into the future.

This year’s tour carries another special touch: a song written and performed by Michael, the son of one of the Foundation’s founders. The song is a heartfelt tribute to the 2025 riders and the theme of “We are the Flame.” Music, like cycling, has the power to connect, inspire, and motivate, reminding us that this journey is about more than the ride.

As the riders pushed their limits from Pontdrift to Fish Hoek, their journey served as a powerful metaphor: progress may be tough, the road may be long, but with determination and collective effort, we can reach new horizons.

When the team rode into the school on 12 September, it didn’t just mark the end of a tour, but rather marked another step in a movement that continues to change lives through education.

The Thomson Smillie Foundation’s cycle race is about grit, hope, and the belief that the flame of the future lies in the hands of today’s youth. We are proud to once again have stood alongside this initiative and cheered on the 2025 riders as they carried this flame across South Africa.

Our commitment to education goes beyond the Thomson Smillie Foundation. STS also proudly supports the Inceba Trust, a non-profit organisation focused on Early Childhood Development (ECD) in the Western and Northern Cape.

Inceba Trust prepares children in body, mind, and soul, ensuring they are ready to embrace their future with confidence and resilience. By working with ECD centres, educators, caregivers, and communities, the Trust creates nurturing environments where children can thrive during their first six years of life. A period that forms the foundation for all future learning.

Sectional Title Solutions, in collaboration with Faith Foods, contributed the seed capital to develop Inceba’s curriculum and continues to provide technical support. Once accredited by the Department of Education, this programme will enable ECD centres to deliver high-quality education that transforms both children and communities

As Prof. Eric Atmore explains:
“Quality Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme opportunities have the considerable capacity to change the trajectory of a young child’s life… For every Rand invested in a quality ECD programme, there is a 13 Rand return on investment in later cost savings.”

Through initiatives like Inceba Trust and the Thomson Smillie Foundation, STS is proud to invest in education at every stage, from early development, through high school and into a future where young people are equipped to lead with courage and purpose. STS remains committed to empowering South Africa’s future leaders at every stage of their educational journey.